Maranao suspect collared by cops

Another suspect in the grenade blast last Jan. 21 at the public market in Muntinlupa City which claimed the lives of two children and injured 30 others, was arrested yesterday by the Southern Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

The suspect, Amanolan Serad, alias Sered Ayunan, 27, a native of Marawi City yielded a live hand grenade when frisked by the arresting officer in his house at Purok 6-B, Barangay Alabang at about 9:45 p.m. Thursday.

The arrest of Serad brought to two the number of suspects arrested by men of Senior Inspector Amando Unico, of the CIDG Southern sector.

Earlier, Unico’s men arrested Hassim Abdul Samad alias "Alex" along La Mesa Dam, Litex Road, Rodriguez town.

The Muntinlupa City police also arrested two men but released them later after witnesses failed to identify them during a confrontation.

Unico said Serad was positively identified by a witness, Lina Delfin Cabesae, in the company of the group of men who lobbed the grenade in front the Games Store in Alabang viaduct in Barangay Alabang at 8:30 p.m. last Jan. 21.

Elements of the city’s Traffic Environment and Discipline Unity were about to confiscate the merchandise of illegal vendors when the suspects threw a grenade at them.

An eight-month-old girl and her four-year-old sister died during the grenade explosion. At least 30 people were injured in the incident. They were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

When presented to media yesterday, Serad vehemently denied involvement in the grenade blast. Serad expressed surprise why he was dragged into the case.

Both Serad and Samad are presently in the custody of the Southern CIDG at Fort Bonifacio. The police are readying appropriate charges against them.

Meanwhile, an 18-year-old college student was stabbed dead the other day in Quezon City by his bestfriend, a suspected drug addict, who allegedly used a broken bottle in killing him.

Victim Albert Escaton, of Libis Law Street Extension, Victoria Subdivision, Novaliches, sustained stab wounds in the body and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Lawton Hospital.

The suspect, Gabriel Cabalen, 22, also a resident of Victoria Subdivision fled right after the stabbing, leaving behind the fatal weapon — a broken softdrink bottle.

Initial reports showed that the incident took place at about 10 a.m. inside the victim’s home in Sauyo, Novaliches, Quezon City. Escaton was apparently having a chat with his two lady friends, Joselyn Calacio and Teresita Eraso, in his house when they saw Cabalen outside, who was apparently under the influence of drugs.

The three did not mind him, as Escaton thought he was harmless since they have been friends for a long time now. A few minutes later, Cabalen barged inside the house carrying a broken bottle and stabbed Escaton. – Matthew Estabillo